The Depot: Live Game Blog, News, Notes (Vs. Royals 4/17)

The answer is: A cracked bat used to double in the first inning. The question: What did Ian Kinsler donate to the National Baseball Hall of Fame from his 6-for-6/cycle game against Baltimore the other night? So that mystery has been solved.

5:33 weather update: We are still expecting to play out here even though we’ve currently got a light shower going and the tarp is on the field. Remember, however, the Rangers have been known to entertain crowds during rain delays.

7:17: OF David Murphy has tried the extra work approach to shake himself out of his hitless start, but as the streak has now reached 13 at-bats, he’s decided to take a more laid back approach.

“I was going at it really hard last week, maybe too hard,” said Murphy, who was out of the lineup for the second consecutive game. “I think I needed to step bac a little and try to relax. I need to get in the right frame of mind. I know it’s going to come.”

Murphy’s biggest adjustment at the plate has been to try and crouch more. Last weekend at Detroit, he noticed he was standing very much straight up. When Murphy started Monday, he crouched more and felt like he was closer to breaking the slump. Murphy entered Friday as the only player in the majors to have at least 10 at-bats this season with no hits.

“I had no clue the first week,” Murphy said. “I think I’m on the right track now.”

7:25: After hearing the BaD Radio boys (or should I say my colleague Bob Sturm) debate today over which is more rare, a cycle or a no-hitter, we retained our high-powered research group to check on the totals. Since 1900, we can tell you that there have been 243 cycles and 213 no-hitters. … Also checked on six-hit games vs. no-hitters. Our crack researchers couldn’t go back farther than 1954 on six-hit games, but I don’t think it’s necessary. There have been 123 six-hit games to 52 no-hitters in the same time. So, when it gets down to it, the no-hitter is still a rarer accomplishment to see than either of Ian Kinsler’s cycle/six-hit game on Wednesday.

7:34: You watch Vladimir Guerrero walk like an old man and keep thinking “the Angels will break down.” Well, they might be. RHPs John Lackey and Ervin Santana are both on the DL and Guerrero is about to join them with a tear in his pectoral muscle. This might be the year age finally catches up with them.

7:39: Here is why it’s not a good idea to walk the No. 9 hitter with two outs: Because the leadoff guy (in this case Coco Crisp) might just hit a three run homer.

7:56: MJH cited my pal Tracy Ringolsby’s report earlier today that indicated the Rockies had placed hard-throwing reliever Juan Morillo on waivers. He suggested the Rangers might be interested, particularly because of the connections to Colorado. Won’t happen. Minnesota has claimed him.

8:04: Ian Kinsler has walked and reached on a bunt single. He now has hits in his last eight at-bats and has reached base nine consecutive times, still short of the club record held by Frank Catalanotto. He had hits in 10 straight at-bats and reached base 13 straight times due to three walks.

8:11: Matt Harrison has started four innings. Leadoff batter has reached in three of them. Good way to put yourself in immediate trouble.  Body language on mound is not encouraging. Kind of slump shouldered and sad-sacky.

8:14: The Rangers actually passed on Morillo. They could have taken him.

8:18: Red wins dot race for fifth time in seven races this season. Bet Red heavily this weekend. Call it a hunch. It’s “Red Out” Weekend. … Speaking of which, Jon Daniels appeared in press box tonight in bright red blazer. Claims sportscoat may have once belonged to Denny Crum. Yeah, and he’s driving Jon Voigt’s car, too.

9:13: Sorry for the long pause. What was I going to say? Willie Eyre gives up ANOTHER double? Eyre is not the savior for this bullpen. Nobody in the system is the savior for the bullpen. It’s more than one pitcher away right now. … By the way, the Rangers are giving away doubles this inning like it’s Happy Hour. That’s four for the Royals so far.

9:34: Jarrod Saltalamacchia has one hit in his last 25 at-bats. He’s struck out three times tonight. He’s struck out 12 times in those 25 at-bats.

9:36: Somebody is going to have to explain why Michael Young did not hit with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh and why if the Rangers were going to send up a pinch hitter it wasn’t Andruw Jones or David Murphy. I realize it’s 9-0, but that was a chance to get back into the game.

9:40: Perhaps Young is injured, but no indication of that. No problem taking Young out of the lineup – if the club doesn’t capitalize on that seventh-inning opportunity. But Young, if healthy, should hit there and then so should Josh Hamilton, if Young reaches. If they don’t, then you pull Young and Hamilton (who has now been replaced by David Murphy) and surrender the game.

9:43: Confirmation comes – Young is not hurt.

10:12: More to come. Post-Game Show is next. Game story on which we’ll probably talk a little about that strange seventh-inning pinch-hitting decision after that.